Manny Pacquiao took to his Instagram account last month and unveiled an absolutely shredded physique, with an eight pack to match his status as the only eight-division world champion in boxing history. It’s almost as if the 40-year-old boxing legend – with 70 pro fights to his legendary name – has discovered the fountain of youth.
Well prior to seeing that image, Keith Thurman already knew his upcoming bout against Pacquiao would be the biggest fight of his career. If anything, seeing a chiseled “Pacman” probably motivated the WBA “super” welterweight champion to enter the ring Saturday night at the MGM Grand in the best shape of his life as well.
Thurman touched down in Las Vegas on Monday after closing out his training camp on Sunday. One of his two strength and conditioning coaches for this camp vows Thurman has channeled the “One Time” power of old. Whether that translates to a knockout – something Thurman hasn’t been able to accomplish since July 2015 – remains to be seen.
“I will tell you right now, Keith is in the best shape that I’ve seen,” Kimberly Doehnert told Sporting News. “He’s shredded. His overall conditioning and the way he looks … Keith looks like his earlier years when he first started boxing. He’s bringing that power and youth to the ring.”
Those are precisely the two areas where Doehnert – and many boxing pundits and fans – agree Thurman (29-0, 22 KOs) has an edge over Pacquiao (61-7-2).
“Power and the fact that he’s 30 years old, he’s at the height of the welterweight division, height of everything in his life,” Doehnert continued. “A lot of things have changed for Keith over the years – he got married, family changes – so, there’s a different perspective.”
To the former, Thurman downplays any notion of an edge other than being the only “One Time” he knows how to be. He does admit, however, that his team accentuate his talent and skills.
“There is no edge. It’s hard work and dedication,” Thurman told SN, borrowing a line from Floyd Mayweather Jr. “Just doing what you need to do being a champion. The edge is being Keith Thurman. There’s only one Keith Thurman on this planet.
“My trainers will tell you that I push myself,” he added. “I know what work I need to do as a champion. The difference is that I surround myself with the best and people who let me be me. I know what I need to do, I have the top trainers who complement what I’m already doing and that’s why Kimberly is in my corner.”
Doehnert has been in Thurman’s corner since he was born. She’s not only one of Thurman’s coaches; she’s also his aunt.
“I’m Aunty Kim,” she said. “Everyone calls me Aunty Kim. I do have a government name (laughing).”
That government name has plenty of credentials attached to it, as Doehnert is a former International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness figure pro and a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)-certified personal trainer with 27 years in the fitness industry. She’s also a U.S. Army veteran.
This marks the fourth training camp Doehnert has been on duty for her nephew, as she has been strengthening the WBA champion’s core and flexibility with everything from weighted planks to kettlebell swings and band work. She also handles Thurman’s nutrition, as he has showed off on his IG account.
